Dom Flemons, founder of Grammy Award winners Carolina Chocolate Drops, has announced the release of a new solo effort called Prospect Hill. The full-length comes a year after Flemons left his southern string band and sees the North Carolina musician stepping into comfortable shoes as he performs a range of folk, blues and jazz, though he has also incorporated electric guitar into some of the compositions.

Today we have the premiere of “Have I Stayed Away Too Long,” a song that has been performed mostly as a slow country ballad. But Flemons adds some spunk with crisp instrumentation and upbeat syncopation, rejuvenating the song with some classic frontporch twang. From Flemons:

I first heard this song on the Arhoolie Records album Blind James Campbell and His Nashville String Band. This is a real “tear in your beer” classic from the lesser-known black string band musicians that busked on the streets of Nashville next to the Grand Ole Opry. It turns out that this was a hit for Jim Reeves, as well as Willie Nelson, though I have heard neither of these versions. The first country music I ever heard were songs that my dad would sing around the house. It’s been a great thrill to be able to play the Grand Ole Opry several times over the years. One time, I sent my dad a photo of his favorite country singer, Charlie Daniels, and me. Sometimes life can be a trip!

Dom Flemons will perform at XFest in Telford, PA on June 14th. More information can be found here. Listen to the premiere of “Have I Stayed Away Too Long” below.

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Philadelphia: Home to a rich musical history, a unique musical identity, and one of the nation's most thriving musical communities. In a scene filled with so many local bands worth listening to, there will always be new music to discover—and The Key is your source for finding it. Brought to you by WXPN—the non-commercial public radio station that World Cafe, XPN2, and XPoNential Music Festival call home—The Key covers all local music in Greater Philly and beyond.GET IN TOUCH

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About The Key

Philadelphia: Home to a rich musical history, a unique musical identity, and one of the nation's most thriving musical communities. In a scene filled with so many local bands worth listening to, there will always be new music to discover—and The Key is your source for finding it. Brought to you by WXPN—the non-commercial public radio station that World Cafe, XPN2, and XPoNential Music Festival call home—The Key covers all local music in Greater Philly and beyond.GET IN TOUCH